Two Times Thirty And Beyond

Has anyone these days,
Facing aging done to do.
Two times thirty and beyond.
Collecting pennies not to use.
Believing in a jug they would be there to stay.
When it became a necessity.
To take them to bank to deposit.

How times have changed overnight it seems.

Those pennies left to stay unpinched then.
No one thought would become valued.
To empty a jug.
Dismissing a thought of bringing them,
Neatly rolled and proud to bank.
Leaving customers there heard to ooo in awe.

Two times thirty and beyond some of us are.
Counting pennies now from a jar.
To roll up close ten dollars worth.
In the hope enough will cover these days,
The price it takes to pay...
For a half dozen of eggs a loaf of bread.
And a wish to be able to afford butter.
To hear the clerk at the cash register say,
'Ten dollars is not enough...
To pay and satisfy,
All your dreams wished to come true.'

Not to continue bringing up my age.
Since there are few of many who say,
'You look and appear not a day over seventy!'

I smile as if I am flattered.
However,
In my mind I remain to stay reminiscing.
When five dollars is all I needed.
To buy...
Not only eggs, bread and butter.
But also grits, bacon and strawberry jam.
With a few pennies left to pocket.
To then...
Argue about the cost of living.
And the price it takes for gasoline.
To fill up a car,
Waxed, dust free and shinning bright as seen.

No car do I drive these days.
Nor do I argue over the cost of living.
Since I am left feeling blessed.
To pinch those pennies.
After knowing it shown,
At two times thirty and beyond.
Seldom do I mention to those much younger.
That less than five dollars I paid.
Back in those days.
To go to the movies and eat popcorn.
With a beverage then get free refills.

'Bet when you were as young as we are,
You didn't have the opportunities...
We have today.'

So right you are.
Back then my opportunities were limited,
To be happy and glad for what I had.
And not crazed out of my mind believing,
Everything I wanted to need to see on TV?
I could take and steal from someone else.
Then defend my belief with a weapon.

'Gee.
How old are you?'

Old enough,
To open wide my eyes.
And leave them to stay that way.
Without feeling threatened to fear reality!

'Wow!
You are old.
That's some deep stuff you just said.
You know what my grandfather,
Always says to me.'

No. What.

'Don't be out there making babies.
Without a hat to cap the juice.
To then believe because they are cute.
You can leave them here with me to pay,
For your six minutes of naked pleasure.'

Uh...
If I were you.
Stay listening to your grandfather.
He sounds like a very wise,
And experienced man.

'And you know what?
He's a lot younger than you too!'

How much younger?

'That I don't know.
But his latest new wife is gorgeous.
She's only a few years older than me.'